South Florida Tech HubSouth Florida Tech Hub
19
Jan, 2024

By Nikki Cabus

Palm Beach State College receives $8M from Related Companies towards student scholarships

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The Stephen M. Ross Emerging Scholars Program at Palm Beach State College, created by Related Companies, was announced last month during a ceremony at Gaines Park in West Palm Beach. The $8 million gift will support West Palm Beach students in grades 7-12 and follow them through their postsecondary education with full scholarships at Palm Beach State.

“This gift is going to accelerate opportunities for West Palm Beach residents and businesses by helping remove the leading barrier to economic growth, and that’s the knowledge gap,” said PBSC President Ava. L. Parker, J.D. “What’s so amazing about working with Stephen and his vision is that he understands that it’s not enough just to say to 12th-graders it’s time to go to college and here’s a scholarship. He understands the communication and the partnership must start so much earlier in the lives of these students.”

The $8 million gift, the first contribution of the Related Together grantmaking foundation, will ensure that every future graduate of Palm Beach Lakes and Forest Hill High Schools will receive a full scholarship to Palm Beach State College. The Related Together contribution will also be used to fund college readiness programs for students in grades 7-12 to help prepare them for pathways to a postsecondary education and career credentials that will bolster Palm Beach County’s future workforce.

“I’m thrilled to be here,” said Ross during the ceremony. “You want to live to have an impact and do things that can really benefit people. West Palm Beach and Related Together are really in a position to do that and become the model city for this country.”

Additionally, an Early College Academy will be developed at the two West Palm Beach high schools, which will include paid academic advisors and peer-to-peer student mentors. These student mentors will receive a stipend. The program will also focus on preparing students for STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields.

The program was developed in partnership with the Foundation for Palm Beach State College led by Vice President of Institutional Advancement and CEO of the Foundation David Rutherford, who attended the ceremony.

Attending the ceremony with Parker and Rutherford were Chairman of Related Companies and philanthropist Stephen Ross; Related Together Board Chair Gopal Rajegowda; Mayor of West Palm Beach Keith James; West Palm Beach Commissioners Christina Lambert, Christy Fox and Cathleen Ward; President of the Quantum Foundation Eric Kelly; PBSC former District Board of Trustees Chair Carolyn Williams; PBSC Foundation and Quantum Foundation board members; and others.

“This partnership will help accomplish my administration’s goal and that is to make West Palm Beach a community of opportunity for all,” said Mayor James during the event.

Each year, Related Together will contribute funds to implement projects and programs focused on six pillars, including education, housing, income and employment opportunities, health care access, arts and culture engagement, and digital accessibility. The success of each program will be defined by attracting scalable philanthropic investments and proactive grantmaking to launch new programs with the goal to reverse the cycle of poverty and support a cycle of growth.

“Related Together’s model is to have businesses that are coming here invest into the community through this program and work with local leaders to bring accelerated and immediate changes that will shape generations of people,” said Rajegowda at the celebration.

In partnership with Related Companies, Related Together was built through the expertise of local leaders, such as Kelly who is recognized for transformative change in underserved communities.

“These neighborhoods have been resilient, and they have resolved to succeed,” said Kelly. “I’m grateful for the leadership of our mayor, Stephen, Gopal, and in particular Ava Parker to acknowledge that these communities have been ready, they certainly are ready and now they have the opportunity to strive and make life better.”

Three pillars of the Stephen M. Ross Emerging Scholars initiative will help equip students and schools with resources to ensure postsecondary attendance, retention, and completion, leading to career readiness and personal success. The pillars include having Palm Beach State advisors embedded into the high schools to work closely with school counselors to guide students through the dual enrollment selection and registration process.

In addition, the Stephen M. Ross Early College Academy gives access to health sciences, STEM and other high-demand career pathways that empower the individual and impact the community.

Related Together’s organizational structure is comprised of key executive representatives, including Ross, Jeff Brodsky, Ken Himmel, Bruce Warwick, a Board of Directors including Rajegowda, Treasurer Katie Block, and Secretary Jordan Rathlev and supported through local partners and stakeholders, such as the Quantum Foundation, and others to be announced.

For more information and how to support, please visit www.relatedtogether.org.

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19
Jan, 2024

By Nikki Cabus

UKG Ranks #3 Best Place to Work in IT by Computerworld

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UKG is ranked #3 in the world among large companies on the Foundry’s Computerworld 2024 Best Places to Work in IT list.

In addition to the overall #3 global ranking for companies with 5,000 or more employees, UKG also ranked #3 for Diversity, #7 for both Benefits and IT Growth, and #8 for Career Development on associated Computerworld lists.

This marks the third consecutive year that UKG has climbed the Computerworld Best Places to Work in IT list, advancing two spots from #5 on the 2023 list and ranking #6 in 2022 on the U.S.-only list, prior to the award going global. The annual recognition honors top organizations that challenge their IT staff with purposeful and meaningful careers while providing great benefits and compensation. Rankings are based on a comprehensive questionnaire about company offerings in categories such as career development; diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEI&B); the future of work; training; and retention.

UKG cares for its more than 15,000 employees — known as U Krewers — worldwide through a range of comprehensive benefits, employee resource groups (ERGs), and opportunities for career development and pursuing passion projects through its quarterly “Spark[Tank]” and “48 Hours” global innovation and programming events.

Standout Benefits

The company’s standout benefits program is highlighted by:

  • Fully paid healthcare premiums for medical, dental, and vision — including for spouses, domestic partners, and dependents — for the majority of employees, with coverage for infertility treatments, gender affirmation surgery, and surrogacy reimbursement, where allowed.
  • A 45% dollar-for-dollar company match on employee retirement-fund contributions in the U.S. and Canada, up to federal limits, as well as retirement-matching programs worldwide.
  • A global equitable benefits program called U Choose, launched in January 2023, which provides annual funds that U Krewers can use for over 150 different life expenses, from childcare and kids’ extracurriculars to pet care and personal wellness or lifestyle activities.
  • At least two paid days off for volunteering annually, through the company’s Global Volunteer Time-Off Policy. Together, this represents more than 245,000 hours of global impact each year.

Inclusive ERGs

UKG offers nine diverse, inclusive ERGs for community members and their allies to help build a culture of trust, equity, and belonging for all U Krewers. This includes groups such as BUILD (Black U Krewers in Leadership and Development); FIRE Up (Female Inclusion, Resilience, and Excellence) for women at all levels of the organization; NEST, which nurtures, empowers, and supports parents and caregivers through community, resources, support, and advocacy; and VETS for military veterans, their families, and their friends, along with UKG colleagues and supporters of veterans.

Spark[Tank], 48 Hours Programming Events

Recognizing that great ideas and innovation can come from anyone in the organization, UKG hosts two structured innovation programs open to all U Krewers worldwide: Spark[Tank] and the corresponding 48 Hours event. Spark[Tank] is a hybrid event that connects people across the company to foster innovation at UKG, and 48 Hours is a two-day, marathon coding event during which UKG engineers help bring the Spark[Tank] ideas to life. Participants present working concepts to a panel of UKG leaders, and the winning projects are often added to the UKG product roadmap. Over the years, concepts from 48 Hours have become award-winning UKG solutions, such as UKG Pro Giving, which allows companies to easily create and match charitable giving campaigns directly through employee payroll deductions.

“UKG strives to help every organization become a great place to work, and that mission shows up in the ways we value, respect, and care for our U Krewers every day,” said Scott Howitt, chief digital officer at UKG. “Just as we’re committed to providing our 80,000 customers across industries with innovative HCM solutions that help create top workplaces for their employees, we’re equally focused on making UKG the best place to work for our more than 15,000 U Krewers across the globe — including the hundreds who work in enterprise-technology roles.”

At UKG, our purpose is people. We are on a mission to inspire every organization to become a great place to work through HCM technology built for all. More than 80,000 customers across all sizes, industries, and geographies trust UKG HR, payroll, and workforce management cloud solutions to drive great workplace experiences and make better, more confident people and business decisions. With the world’s largest collection of people data, work data, and culture data combined with rich experience using artificial intelligence in the service of people, we connect culture insights with business outcomes to show what’s possible when organizations invest in their people. To learn more, visit ukg.com.

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01
Jan, 2024

By Nikki Cabus

ADT Officially Exits Residential Solar Business

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Boca Raton-based ADT Inc. (NYSE: ADT) announced it will be exiting its residential solar business.

The Company will remain focused on cash flow generation and capital-efficient growth within its core security and smart home business. As part of this continued focus, ADT is also advancing its capital allocation strategy, including a cash dividend increase and authorization of a new share repurchase program.

ADT is the most trusted brand in smart home and small business security providing safe, smart and sustainable solutions for people, homes and small businesses. Through innovative offerings, unrivaled safety and a premium customer experience, all delivered by the largest network of smart home security professionals in the U.S., the company empowers people to protect and connect to what matters most. For more information, visit www.adt.com.

“The decision to exit solar operations was made after careful deliberation, and we expect this strategic action to drive substantial operational and financial benefits to ADT,” said ADT Chairman, President and CEO, Jim DeVries. “We want to acknowledge and thank our employees, partners, and customers as we work through this transition.”

Solar Business Update

Over the first nine months of 2023, ADT’s core business exhibited strong performance, while the solar business faced challenges, including operational difficulties and macroeconomic headwinds causing deterioration of conditions industrywide. As a result of these challenges, the Solar segment generated an Adjusted EBITDA loss of $89 million during this period. Following the previously announced restructuring of its solar footprint and a detailed strategic review, ADT’s Board of Directors has approved the exit of this segment, which may include the transfer of components of the business to other parties.

The Company expects to incur certain one-time exit charges and cash expenditures with potential offsets from asset sales or reduced tax expenses. As previously disclosed, as of September 30, 2023, the goodwill balance for the Solar reporting unit was zero. At this time, the Company is still analyzing the estimated net amount or range of amounts expected to be incurred in connection with this plan.

Strong Cash Flowing Core Business Propelling Capital Allocation Update

Supported by ADT’s confidence in the strong cash flow generation of its core business, today the Company is also announcing the following:

  • Dividend Increase – The Company’s Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.055 per share, payable on April 4, 2024, to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 14, 2024. The quarterly dividend represents a 57% increase over the previous quarterly dividend.
  • Share Repurchase Authorization – The Company’s Board of Directors has authorized a $350 million share repurchase program. As the Company executes share repurchases, the Board will periodically review the remaining authorization as part of its capital allocation strategy.
  • Balance Sheet Fortification – Consistent with the plan from its third quarter earnings announcement, on December 29, 2023, the Company repaid $500 million of First Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2024, completing an overall 2023 reduction of ADT’s total debt by approximately $2 billion. Further, following two corporate rating upgrades in 2023, the Company improved borrowing costs and extended debt maturities and in 2024, will have only $150 million of maturities and amortization payments. The Company remains focused on achieving its targeted net leverage ratio of less than 3.0x.
  • Core Investment – On December 20, 2023, the Company closed on a strategic bulk purchase of approximately 57,000 customer accounts for $89 million cash with attractive returns. This portfolio of customers is concentrated in a few key geographies, all of which align with existing platforms, enabling strong economies of scale upon integration. This transaction was not included in prior cash flow guidance.

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Earnings Conference Call

More details and an update on the business will be provided when the Company releases its fourth quarter and full year 2023 results on February 28, 2024. Following the release, management will host a conference call at 10 a.m. ET to discuss the financial results and lead a question-and-answer session.

Participants may listen to a live webcast through the investor relations website at investor.adt.com. A replay of the webcast will be available on the website within 24 hours of the live event. Alternatively, participants may listen to the live call by dialing 1-404-975-4839 (domestic) or 1-833-470-1428 (international) and providing the access code 533961. An audio replay will be available for two weeks following the call and can be accessed by dialing 1-866-813-9403 (domestic) or 1-929-458-6194 (international) and providing the access code 375946.

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09
Nov, 2023

By Nikki Cabus

13 South Florida companies named winners of the 2023 Deloitte Technology Fast 500

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Deloitte today released its “North America Technology Fast 500™,” an annual ranking of the fastest-growing North American companies – and thirteen South Florida companies were winners this year!

Now in its 29th year, the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 list highlights the passion and dedication it takes to be an industry disrupter across the technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences, fintech, and energy tech sectors. Each year, companies can receive increased visibility, brand recognition, and growth opportunities by joining this elite group,

“Each year, we look forward to reviewing the progress and innovations of our Technology Fast 500 winners. This year is especially celebratory as we expand the number of winners to better represent just how many companies are developing new ideas to progress our society and the world, especially during a slow economy,” said Paul Silverglate, Vice Chair, Deloitte LLP and U.S. technology sector leader.

“While software and services and life sciences continue to dominate the top 10, we are encouraged to see other categories making their mark. Congratulations to all the winners who show us how creativity, hard work and perseverance can lead to success.”

The Deloitte Technology Fast 500 winners represent 41 states and provinces across North America. California’s Bay Area continued to lead the regional pack with 18% of the Technology Fast 500 winners, followed by the Tri-State Area representing 13% of the winning companies. Software and services is the leading industry in all major markets, even New England, where historically life sciences has dominated.

Eighty-five percent (85%) of the companies listed in the 2023 Technology Fast 500 were backed by venture capital or private equity funding at some point in their company history.

Software and services companies once again topped this year’s Technology Fast 500 listing, representing the majority of the winners for the 28th straight year (57%). Of the software and services companies on the list, digital platforms represented the majority of winners (49%) with enterprise infrastructure and productivity following with 31% of the winners. Security (13%), consumer software (5%) and education (2%), comprised the rest of the subsectors within software and services. Life sciences and fintech rounded out the top three industry categories with 16% and 12% of total winners, respectively.

Overall median growth rate of the winners was 497%. Life sciences had the highest median revenue growth rate at 665%.

 

The South Florida companies honored this year are:

  • #20 | MyFBAPrep
    • Software & services
    • 8,792% Growth
    • Coral Springs (Broward County)

MyFBAPrep is the highest ranked company in Florida and in the logistics and transportation category. The are a leading eCommerce warehouse logistics network, MyFBAPrep’s hypergrowth comes on the back of several major CPG client wins and the expansion of its warehouse network footprint to 85-million-square-feet of warehouse space globally.

Achieving a three-year growth rate of 8,792%, MyFBAPrep is one of the highest-ranked logistics and transportation companies on the list. This hypergrowth comes on the back of several major consumer packaged goods (CPG) client wins and the expansion of its warehouse network footprint to 85-million-square-feet of warehouse space globally. Handling all eCommerce needs from port to porch, MyFBAPrep offers its roster of enterprise-level customers and top eCommerce sellers cutting-edge warehousing and logistics solutions powered by its SaaS platform Preptopia®.

“Our team has been on a mission since Day One to change the face of eCommerce logistics as it exists today. Being recognized on the 2023 Deloitte Technology Fast 500™ list alongside the other high-flying  technology companies is a testament to our team’s commitment to this mission,” said Tom Wicky, Co-Founder and CEO of MyFBAPrep. “Our tech-first approach leveraging customer service and execution has been a winning formula, complimenting a client roster that has responded well to our product and continues to help us make our network and suite of services even better.”

  • #41 | Fox Ordering
    • Software & services
    • 4,143% Growth
    • Boca Raton (Palm Beach County)
  • #114 | ClassWallet
    • Fintech
    • 1,263% Growth
    • Hollywood (Broward County)
  • #162 | Honorlock
    • Software & services
    • 865% Growth
    • Boca Raton (Palm Beach County)
  • #165 | ViB
    • Software & services
    • 855% Growth
    • North Palm Beach (Palm Beach County)
  • #186 | Social Mobile
    • Hardware & semiconductors
    • 779% Hollywood (Broward)
  • #202 | Drawbridge
    • Software & services
    • 694% Growth
    • Palm Beach Gardens (Palm Beach County)
  • #215 | Instreamatic
    • Software & services
    • 660% Growth
    • Boca Raton (Palm Beach County)
  • #235 | Taxfyle
    • Software & services
    • 612% Growth
    • Coconut Grove (Miami-Dade County)
  • #257 | Launch Potato
    • Digital content/media/entertainment
    • 534% Growth
    • Delray Beach (Palm Beach County)
  • #276 | PlanHub
    • Software & services
    • 490% Growth
    • West Palm Beach (Palm Beach County)
  • #355 | springbig
    • Software & services
    • 365% Growth
    • Boca Raton (Palm Beach County)
  • #361 | CloudHesive
    • Software & services
    • 360% Growth
    • Fort Lauderdale (Broward County)

 

“As for growing companies, it’s always rewarding to be recognized for the ongoing commitment it takes to navigate obstacles, transform when necessary and ultimately create a thriving business,” said Christie Simons, Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP and industry leader for technology, media and telecommunications within Deloitte’s Audit & Assurance practice.

“Over the nearly 30 years we’ve been compiling the Technology Fast 500, we’ve seen new categories emerge, growth rates explode, and certain regional markets shine from the bright talent they attract. We are proud of all the winners for achieving this well-deserved honor.”

Technology Fast 500 awardees are selected based on percentage fiscal year revenue growth from 2019 to 2022. Overall, the 2023 Technology Fast 500 companies achieved revenue growth ranging from 201% to 222,189% over the three-year time frame, with an average growth rate of 1,934% and a median growth rate of 497%.

The rankings are based on submitted applications and public company database research, with winners selected based on their fiscal-year revenue growth percentage over a three-year period. With so many entrants meeting the eligibility criteria this year, we expanded the 2023 Winners’ List to include those companies that achieved a growth rate of 200 percent or higher, as a celebratory sign that tech companies are thriving even amidst challenging economic times.

For more more information and full data points on the winners, please visit www.Fast500.com

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08
Nov, 2023

By Nikki Cabus

Pines Middle School celebrates the opening of the Verizon Innovative Learning Lab

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This month, Pines Middle School celebrated the grand opening of the new Verizon Innovative Learning Lab in the City of Pembroke Pines.

The Verizon Innovative Learning program is helping millions of students thrive delivering technology and access to millions of students, inspiring teachers with learning tools and students to explore STEM, and training over 10 million youth in digital skills by 2030.

Whether learning about under water animals, music, content creation, art or engineering, students can tap into their creativity. Through an online portal, teachers can access lessons, training tools and innovative apps at no cost to help bring next-gen tech into the classroom. From the needed devices to the online portal, everything is provided.

Pines Middle School is located in Pembroke Pines which is a part of Broward County Public Schools. According to a US News World Report, Pines Middle School’s minority student enrollment is over 94% with over 600 students in 6th – 8th grades. Less than half the students have proficient test scores in reading and math as of 2021. The school district and the middle school are working very hard to change this.

In November 2014, Broward County voters approved an $800 million bond referendum that provides critically needed funding for students and schools. Broward County Public Schools has committed to investing the funding in safety, music, art, athletics, renovations, and technology (SMART) at every school. The Office of Facilities and Construction is tasked with renovations to schools based on the SMART program needs assessment. Pines Middle School was allocated $1,163,728 with a targeted completion of Q2 in 2024.

Additionally, as part of the School Choice Enhancement Program (SCEP), schools are allocated $100,000 to spend on customized enhancements voted on by the school and its community. Common uses of the funds include laptops, security enhancements, projectors, and other useful educational tools. Pines Middle School chose to use some of the funds towards desk tops, laptop wiring, a Think Station, morning show equipment, Thank Pads and more.

This recent gift from Verizon is a perfect complement to all the renovations and improvements that school has been going through for the past few years.

Through the Verizon Innovative Learning Lab program, teachers receive robust professional development and coaching to cultivate powerful learning that extends beyond the classroom. Education leaders benefit from the infrastructure, expert guidance, and learning community to design and implement sustainable approaches to digital equity. There is no cost to the school.

Verizon is always looking to partner with new districts where Verizon Innovative Learning Schools can support digital equity and learning. Interested public school districts or public charter networks in the U.S. with at least two qualifying schools may apply. To qualify, schools must: (1) Serve middle and/or high school students and (2) Have a free and reduced price lunch participation rate of 65%+ or participate in the Community Eligibility Provision.

The event was attended by Pembroke Pines City Commissioner Thomas Good, Jr. and Verizon’s Director, Local Engagement (State & Local Government Affairs), Merdochey LaFrance.

Merdochey wrote in a recent social media post, “Technology is the great equalizer and can propel students to brighter futures. Pines Middle School students can access innovative learning tools with the opening of the Verizon Innovative Learning Lab!” She continued, “I’m grateful to City of Pembroke Pines Commissioner Tom Good for joining me last night for the Verizon Innovative Learning Lab ribbon cutting at Pines Middle School!”

To learn more about Verizon’s Innovative Learning Program, visit https://www.verizon.com/about/responsibility/digital-inclusion/verizon-innovative-learning

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24
Oct, 2023

By Nikki Cabus

TEDx Talks are returning to Delray Beach after a 10-year hiatus

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With TEDx events popping up all around South Florida, the oh-so-popular event is making a comeback in Delray Beach!

In a world filled with sound bites and paparazzi-snapped photos, there are still storytellers determined to create media with meaning. From feature films to citizen journalism, their work is worth spreading. On November 4th, we will hear from some of those storytellers.

After a 10-year hiatus, Natalia Romero, Ph.D., physicist, educator and a TEDx organizer,  is bringing back TEDx Delray Beach to the very heart and soul of the city’s cultural center: Old School Square.

“We aim to provide a diverse platform to present and discuss relevant topics, innovative ideas, trends and issues which currently affect our local and global community, as well as to bring light to hidden talent and local heroes.” said Dr. Romero.

Old School Square, located in the heart of downtown Delray Beach, is a National Historic Site where beautifully restored early 20th century school buildings serve the greater Delray Beach community and South Florida with visual performing arts, entertainment and enrichments programs. The award-winning, nationally recognized arts center combines historic preservation and the arts.

Serving as this year’s TEDx Delray Beach historic venue, The Fieldhouse which was once called the Vintage Gymnasium (c. 1925) hosts series of music, comedy, poetry, art and more throughout the year.

Seemingly frozen in time, the heavy wood beams still bear the markings of students who dared to climb up to scrawl their names in chalk. While the Fieldhouse is no longer used for sporting events, the original backboards remain in place and former locker rooms converted to beautifully appointed restrooms.

Delray Beach has been rapidly growing and evolving over the past decade. Now, at the verge of a global technology revolution, machine learning, large language models, and artificial intelligence are gaining a broad spectrum of applications. We are experiencing a paradigm shift – and so, the 2023 TEDx Delray Beach theme is “The Ripple Effect.”

Unlike the domino effect which only serves one direction, the ripple effect multiplies in all directions like ripples across water when an object is dropped into it. A ripple effect occurs as a progressive after shock. An initial disturbance to a system propagates to an increasingly larger portion of the system such as in society creating a “new normal” spreading from one individual to the next and into communities broadening its impact and adoption.

Coming from very diverse backgrounds and perspectives, we will hear from though leaders on a variety of topics that currently affects our local and global community. From sustainability, urban planning, astrophysics, history through storytelling, creative AI, and blockchain technology, this event promises to be a night filled with innovation, creativity, and ideas worth spreading.

“The impact community can have is like a pebble dropped in a pond, creating ripples that reach far beyond our initial actions,” said Meggie Soliman, one of this year’s TEDx Delray Beach speakers. “Together, we have the power to inspire, uplift, and transform the world.”

As a Blockchain Advocate, Director of Strategic Innovations at DSS, South Florida Tech Hub HealthTech & Life Sciences Peer Group Chair, and active South Florida Tech Hub member, Meggie is very involved in her local community and the South Florida tech ecosystem. She told Tech Hub that she is most excited about “the opportunity to share and collaborate with the community on an idea worth sharing.”

In addition to captivating speakers, TEDx Delray Beach 2023 will also feature our artistic community by inviting world-renowned artists such as the third-place World Tango
Champions and inaugurating the TEDxDelrayBeach short Film/Animation competition.

This year’s speakers include:

  • Ata Sarajedini – Astrophysics Expert and Former Dean of Science @ Florida Atlantic University

  • Daniel Bolojan – FAU Professor and Director @ Creative AI Lab

  • Edward Stitson – Curator & Educator @ Spady Cultural Heritage Museum

  • Gabriela Mendez – NSU Professor and Educational Leader & Palm Beach School District

  • John Renne – FAU Professor and Director @ Center for Urban and Environmental Solutions

  • Meggie Soliman – Blockchain Advocate and Director of Strategic Innovations @ DSS

  • Sabrina Victoria – Social Entrepreneur and Activist and Executive Director @ Human Better 365

  • Vannesa Ruck – Motorcycle Racer and Rally Driver

  • Zach Escanlante – Data Scientist @ LinkedIn

TEDx is a grassroots initiative, created in the spirit of TED’s overall mission to research and discover “ideas worth spreading.” TEDx brings the spirit of TED to local communities around the globe through TEDx events. According to TED.com, the TED organization, which stands for Technology Education and Design, hosts more than 3,000 TEDx events annually. These events are organized by passionate individuals who seek to uncover new ideas and to share the latest research in their local areas that spark conversations in their communities. TEDx events include live speakers and recorded TED Talks, and are organized independently under a free license granted by TED. These events are not controlled by TED, but event organizers agree to abide by our format, and are offered guidelines for curation, speaker coaching, event organizing and more. They learn from us and from each other. More than 3000 events are now held annually.

Since 1984, Ted Talks have created podcasts and videos by expert speakers on education, business, science, tech and creativity. TEDx encourages communities to come together in a platform that showcases local thinkers and innovators. Some of the TEDx videos may be chosen to become regular Ted Talks.

For more informationon TEDx Delray Beach, visit https://tedxdelraybeach.com/

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19
Oct, 2023

By Nikki Cabus

OZ Digital introduces two new SVP hires amid growth

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OZ Digital Consulting announces their two new SVP hires – Jason Milgram and Steve Bakanov..

The South Florida-based company leverages modern technologies that empower businesses to digitally transform and accelerate growth globally.

 

JASON MILGRIM

Jason will be Oz’s first ever Senior Vice President responsible for the Azure Cloud Ops practice.

“For more than a quarter century, OZ has been about innovating from our core principles,” OZ CEO Amjad Shamim says.

“Which is to say, we evolve constantly, focus on outcomes, and pursue and celebrate success as a team. In this, Jason is a kindred spirit. From successfully leading the launch of SaaS, PaaS, B2B, and B2C solutions in complex global, hybrid, multi-cloud, and edge environments to earning recognition from industry leaders such as Microsoft—where he received the Microsoft Azure MVP award thirteen times and co-authored the Azure Strategy and Implementation Guide—Jason lives those OZ core values. I am very excited to see the future we build together.”

In his new role as SVP, Azure Leader, Milgram will, in partnership with the OZ R&D team, establish the Azure Technical Architecture vision, define architectural standards, and collaborate with technology practices to deliver cutting-edge solutions for clients, alongside an Azure Cloud Operations technology practice.

The goal: Fully leveraging current and emerging technology products by Microsoft—and channeling those capabilities into even more innovative products and services.

“This is a pivotal role as OZ continues to seek the leading edge of innovation—and Jason is the perfect fit,” OZ Chief Solutions Officer Manny Ramos adds. “With over 25 years of industry experience, Jason brings not only a wealth of knowledge and a future-focused mindset to our practice but also a real track record of transformative leadership.”

As an Industry Chief Technology Officer at Hitachi Solutions America, Milgram most recently spearheaded pre-sales and delivery strategies for the financial services industry. His role encompassed innovation, marketing, and security/compliance for Azure, Dynamics 365, Microsoft 365, and Power Platform.

Milgram’s expertise extends to federal projects as well, having served as the Chief Architect for the U.S. Department of Interior – Inspectors General, where he conceptualized and implemented a cloud data analytics platform for auditing federal funding. His leadership roles at Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), City National Bank of Florida, and Champion Solutions Group have further demonstrated his ability to drive strategic change, architect solutions, and foster partnerships.

Milgram is a prolific speaker, mentor, and author, with numerous publications on cloud strategy and implementation.

“I first met OZ Founder and CEO Amjad Shamim fifteen years ago while we both were speaking at the same conference,” Milgram says. “It’s amazing to finally be working together—and in such an exciting role. I’m very much looking forward to placing the technical skillset I’ve been honing since I bought a Timex/Sinclair 1000 in sixth grade and taught myself basic programming at the disposal of OZ, a company I’ve long admired on the forefront of the digital transformation revolution.”

 

 

STEVE BAKANOV

As OZ’s new SVP of Digital, Steve is focused on the future of digital innovation.

“It’s very exciting to introduce such dynamic talent to the OZ leadership team,” OZ Chief Solutions Officer Emmanuel Ramos said.

“Steve brings a wealth of experience in strategic technology leadership and business growth, with a focus on driving digital transformation. His journey has seen him excel in impactful roles, contributing significantly to his teams and organizations.”

Throughout more than a quarter century working in technology and digital engagement strategy, Steve Bakanov has built a skillset encompassing a broad spectrum of domains—cloud, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), data analytics, business intelligence—and industries ranging from financial services, pharmaceutical, and insurance to healthcare, manufacturing, and government.

Bakanov’s leadership positions have included Global Technology, Strategy, and Applications Leader at Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Global Senior Applications, Automation, and DevOps Leader at Deloitte. Further, working with Fortune 500 companies, including Pfizer, Aflac, SAP, IBM, Microsoft, Cigna, ABB, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, CareFirst, USA Mutual Insurance, Liberty Mutual, Hartford, Deloitte, and AWS, Bakanov drove digital transformation and deliver innovative solutions to address complex business challenges.

Bakanov holds a bachelor’s degree in economics, both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in computer science, and a PhD in business administration.

“I am thrilled to join OZ because of the company’s unwavering commitment to innovation and excellence,” Bakanov says. “OZ’s core philosophy—which emphasizes a culture of creativity, disciplined approaches, and a ‘can do’ attitude—aligns perfectly with my own values and professional aspirations.”

 

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS

Just this year, Oz Digital Consulting celebrated their 25th anniversary and welcomed the community into their new Ft. Lauderdale office space.

Founded on the belief that modern technologies like AI, Machine Learning, and Data Analytics can accelerate business performance, OZ has grown into a global digital technology consultancy trusted as a software delivery & development partner leading innovation for business acceleration.

The company which currently has over 300 employees has been growing quickly. In a time where good talent is hard to retain, OZ Digital prides itself in the ability to attract and retain high-level talent – some over 20 years. This allows them to build strong relationships with their clients.

Amjad Shamim, Co-Founder & CEO of OZ, has shared that “OZ Digital Consulting has a customer retention rate of around 90%, which is much higher than average for services firms.”

To learn more about OZ Digital Consulting, visit https://followoz.com/

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17
Oct, 2023

By Nikki Cabus

StevenDouglas celebrates 40 years in business as recruiting leaders

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StevenDouglas, a national search and interim resources firm founded in Miami in 1983, officially turns 40 years old.

Over the last 40 years, StevenDouglas has become a nationally recognized, Top 25 firm in the U.S. offering Executive Search, Professional Recruiting, Technology Staffing & Interim Resource services, with over twenty-five locations domestically, as well as a presence in Latin America and Canada. StevenDouglas has grown over 2500% since 2005, making it one of the fastest-growing firms in America.

The firm has a lot to celebrate as they have not only solidified their dominance in Florida being ranked the #1 Executive Search firm in the state, but the company has also made substantial gains over the last decade to become a top recruiting firm in the U.S.

In March of 2023, StevenDouglas moved to new updated, state-of-the-art offices in Broward County to support their on-going national expansion to over 25 markets in the U.S. as well as a presence in Latin America and Canada.

Adriana Duque, Director Of Client Services at StevenDouglas, posted a recent social media post stating, “Absolutely thrilled to share this incredible milestone with you all!  I’m honored to work with such an amazing organization. A personal thank you to our clients and candidates for trusting in us. Here’s to many more years of success.” Adriana is also a South Florida Tech Hub Ambassador and involved technology community member.

Founder Steve Sadaka and CEO Matthew Shore have opportunistically grown the firm from 1 office and 15 employees into a national business with 25 offices and over 165 professionals and over 450 active project associates and consultants.  This rapid expansion was based on their belief that by providing exceptional services to clients and working closely with them as trusted advisors, you’re able to create successful outcomes.  The firm’s success is evident as it reached the milestone of $130 million in revenue in 2022 and has been the recipient of various awards and top rankings in recent months.

“On this big milestone anniversary, I am feeling grateful for the trust and confidence that our amazing clients, candidates and employees have put in us for so many years”, said StevenDouglas Founder & Chairman Steve Sadaka who went on to say, “I remain committed to our roots as a boutique high-touch service business, with a great culture where employees can be themselves and enjoy coming to work, while having great opportunities to grow personally and professionally.  We are doing something special here and I can’t imagine the last 40 years any other way.”

StevenDouglas is also celebrating the firm’s unprecedented evolution over the last decade, being honored this year with multiple awards including being named on the prestigious Inc. 5000 which celebrates the fastest-growing private companies in the United States.  StevenDouglas’ dominance of the Florida market after 40 years in business has brought many firm accolades in 2023, including being ranked #1 Executive Search Firm in South Florida by the South Florida Business Journal (SFBJ) and appearing on the Hunt Scanlon Top 25 Executive Search Firm list which ranks firms across the Americas. These rankings position StevenDouglas as not only the #1 Executive Search firm in Florida, but also in the southeastern United States.  They were also recognized by the SFBJ as the Business of the Year in the $100-250m category and Best Places to Work.

StevenDouglas CEO Matt Shore said about the firm turning 40 this year, “It’s an honor every day to lead such an amazing team and be a part of a South Florida mainstay that companies have counted on since the early 1980’s.  Over the last two decades we’ve used our drive and passion for excellence to expand our footprint and capabilities to be able to serve a broader client base and create more positive outcomes for our clients and candidates.

While StevenDouglas reaffirms its commitment to creating great outcomes for the clients and candidates they serve, the last 40 years is proof that this recruiting firm is equally committed to cultivating an incredible corporate culture for its employees and supporting the community by partnering with various local causes and non-profits.

StevenDouglas states its mission is “To be committed to a culture where experienced recruiting and client service professionals can truly act as trusted advisors that care about people and put relationships first, act with integrity, and give back to the community all while providing industry leading services”.  At 25 years old, when Steve Sadaka founded StevenDouglas as a Search firm in Miami specializing in Accounting and Finance recruiting, he never dreamed he’d be here 40 years later with offices across the country. The one thing he always knew is that he wanted to make a positive impact with his business.  StevenDouglas has clearly lived up to Steve’s goal over the last four decades and is banking on the fact that this kind of perspective will serve them to continue to grow over the next 40 years.

To learn more about StevenDouglas, visit https://www.stevendouglas.com/

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16
Oct, 2023

By Nikki Cabus

Endeavor celebrates a decade of impact across Miami’s entrepreneurial ecosystem

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On October 11th, Endeavor Miami rang in their 10th anniversary with sunset celebration at Joia Beach in Parrot Jungle Miami.

The event was a celebration of impact, “empowering entrepreneurs to dream bigger, scale faster, and pay it forward,” as the Endeavor team would say.

Endeavor, a global organization that supports high-impact entrepreneurs in 40+ countries.

In 2013, Endeavor expanded from Latin America into the United States with their first office in the country based in Miami. The expansion was funded by John S. and James L. Knight Foundation who approved a $2M grant in 2012. South Florida has always been a hotbed of entrepreneurial activity and boasted a great work-life balance, yet struggled to support scaling startups. Endeavor Miami was on a mission to change that.

The event drew an impressive crowd of local leaders including two distinguished guests, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniela Levine Cava and City of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, who both addressed the crowd and congratulated Endeavor Miami and the team for their accomplishments over the past decade. Other attendees in attendance included Ernest Bachrach, Chairman of the Board, Lucas Chaya del Pino, Head of Dell for Startups, Matt Haggman, Founding Board Member and other leaders such as Melissa Medina, Johnna Mikkola, Erick Gavin, and our very own Tech Hub CEO Nikki Cabus. It was a great night for all!

“Endeavor Entrepreneurs generated $800 million in revenue and created nearly 5,000 jobs in 2022! That, my friends, IS IMPACT!” exclaimed Duran.

“Our journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. It’s about people coming together, like our Board Members, mentors, partners, and team members, who understand the potential of entrepreneurs to change the world. All of them make our work possible. And, of course, the show’s true stars, our incredible entrepreneurs, ” shared Claudia Duran, Endeavor Miami’s Managing Director.

Since launching in Miami in 2013, Endeavor has built and supported a portfolio of more than 25 companies led by over 40 entrepreneurs who have created over 5,000 employment positions throughout Florida as they scaled and hired talent. This momentum has brought in more than $800M in annual revenues in 2022. That’s huge!

According to a January 2022 Endeavor article, “As of 2022, 123 companies have completed our cohort initiatives and have gone on to employ over 1,500 individuals and generated $131M in annual revenues.” We can’t wait to see what those stats look like as we close out 2023.

Duran joined Endeavor Miami in 2019, where her determination, leadership experience, and thorough understanding of the entrepreneurial mindset have led the office to new heights of success. Endeavor Miami has recently launched Endeavor ScaleUp and EndeavorLAB. Both programs are exclusively for companies based in Florida, as we believe in the power of economic transformation by our local companies and we want to help write their stories.

Endeavor ScaleUp is a cohort-based initiative that equips high-growth founders in Florida with the network and resources to gain clarity on their path to scale. Endeavor selects up to 10 companies following its global selection criteria for high-impact entrepreneurs. They become your support system and community during and long after Endeavor ScaleUp is over.

EndeavorLAB is a cohort-based initiative to support underrepresented founders in Florida in building a foundation for scale. Current and past cohorts include a Latinx Founders, Women Funders and Black Founders cohorts sponsored and supported by VensureHR, Venture Miami, Dell for Startups and FPL Be PowerFL.

This year was the first time Endeavor Miami partnered with a city outside of Miami-Dade county in an effort to regionalize their efforts. The pilot program  was conducted with The City of Boca Raton through a two-month accelerated growth program where Boca-based founders took advantage of Endeavor Miami’s community of founders and experts, while gaining insights on how they can scale their business.

Congratulations to Endeavor Miami – we’re looking forward to the next 10 years!

To learn more about Endeavor Miami, visit https://endeavormiami.org/

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10
Oct, 2023

By Nikki Cabus

South Florida high school student wins FBLA nationals

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South Florida student Archit Namboodiri has won the championship at the 2023 National Leadership Conference of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA).

Archit finished second in the Management Information Systems (MIS) competition where more than 300 students competed. The final awards ceremony was held in Atlanta, Georgia. This is a very prestigious honor that is only awarded to a few students in each category every year.

Future Business Leaders of America, Inc. (FBLA) is the largest business Career and Technical Student Organization in the world. Each year, FBLA helps over 230,000 members prepare for careers in business. As the premier business education association in the country, FBLA is on a mission to inspire and prepare students to become community-minded business leaders in a global society through relevant career preparation and leadership experiences. According to their organizational bylaws, “The organization provides an integral part of the instructional program, additional opportunities for secondary students (grades 9-12) in business and/or business-related fields to develop vocational and career supportive competencies, and to promote civic and personal responsibilities.”

The first FBLA high school chapter in Florida was founded in 1948 at Hillsborough High School in Tampa and has since spread with over 11,000 members across Florida, making it one of the largest FBLA chapters in the country!

Florida FBLA offers opportunities as early as middle school through high school, college and into their professional careers. The top five takeaways of Florida FBLA are aimed at developing your business leadership skills, increasing confidence in yourself and your work, learning how to become involved in leadership opportunities, having a better understanding of American business enterprises, and developing a path towards future college and career goals.

Archit’s interest in Information Systems grew after attending the Mark Cuban Foundation’s AI bootcamp in the fall of 2022. The hands on classes were co-sponsored by South Florida Tech-Hub and Florida Power & Light and held at FPL’s Manatee Lagoon in West Palm Beach.  They learned several artificial intelligence-specific methods and tools and made powerful connections with fellow students and instructors.

Archit and fellow students had the opportunity to listen and interact with tech executives such as Michael Fowler, IT Business Unit CIO at FPL. FPL is known for it’s philanthropic efforts, passion for driving tech talent, and giving back to the Florida community through multiple education initiatives such as STEM classroom makeovers, working with organizations such as Tech Hub, Mark Cuban AI bootcamps, Girls Who Code, Black Girls Code and so many more. FPL is also known for their one-of-a-kind internship program aimed at developing new talent and identifying candidates for a suitable future full-time employment opportunity.

Inspired by the AI Bootcamp, Archit then attended a Cyber Security bootcamp organized by the University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa during the summer this year. He learned about several core cybersecurity topics, such as penetration testing, cross-browser scripting, and ransomware detection and negotiation. Archit had the opportunity to interact and network with several leading technology leaders from companies such as CISCO and Microsoft.

“The Marc Cuban AI boot camp sponsored by South Florida Tech-Hub and FPL opened a new world for me,” said Archit. “I learned about AI and how it is applied in our day-to-day lives. Through hands-on activities in the camp. I was exposed to several cutting-edge AI concepts, such as Machine Learning, Big Data, and Computer Vision and used these concepts in my FBLA competition to
demonstrate how organizations can make effective use of AI.”

He continued, “I’m thankful to the South Florida Tech Hub and FPL for providing me with this opportunity and to my school’s FBLA advisor, Mr. Pardo, for his continued guidance and support throughout the competition process.”

Archit is also the Treasurer of a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization run solely by students, Surface 71, with a mission to raise awareness about plastic pollution and keep our cities and oceans cleaner and more beautiful. The students hold beach clean ups every month and have installed water refill stations into eleven local schools. He joined Surface71 in 2023 and is passionate about how technology can improve the environment.

Archit wants to pursue his college education in IT business with a focus on cyber security and data privacy and looking forward to helping the tech community by teaching middle and high school students what he has learned.

We wish you all the best Archit – we are sure to see you creating positive change for our future. Keep up the great work!

Click here for the complete 2023 list of winners. To learn more about Florida FBLA, visit https://www.floridafbla-pbl.com/

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17
Sep, 2023

By Nikki Cabus

CloudHesive appoints Global Leader Michael Tobin OBE to its Board of Directors

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CloudHesive announced the appointment of Michael Tobin OBE to its board of directors.

Michael brings decades of experience in corporate leadership and is a globally recognized leader. He is a serial technology entrepreneur and pioneer with over 30 years experience in the telecoms & technology sector.

“CloudHesive is one of the fastest growing companies in the United States“, said Michael Tobin. “I’m delighted to be joining this exciting organization as it continues to cement its position as a leading international AWS partner, leveraging its broad capability and experience to create significant value for its clients worldwide.”

An innovative and experienced leader, Tobin has decades of technical industry experience, including his role as Chief Executive Officer of UK’s Telecity Group PLC from 2002 to 2014. There, he led the company’s transformation from a £6 million market cap entity in 2002 to a top-performing FTSE250 company valued at over £2.5 billion. Under his direction, Telecity Group was recognized as Britain’s Most Admired Tech Company in 2012, helping to solidify its position as an industry leader.

Throughout his career, Tobin has received numerous accolades, including the London Business Awards‘ “Business Turnaround of the Year” in 2005, the UK Innovation Awards’ “IPO of the Year” in 2008, and the techMARK Personality of the Year in that same year. In 2014, Tobin was honored in the Queen’s New Year Honours List with the Order of the British Empire (OBE) medal for his outstanding services to the Digital Economy.

His dedication to excellence extends beyond his professional endeavors, as he ran 40 marathons in 40 days for the Prince’s Trust in 2016 and trekked the South Pole in 2020 for charity.

“We are thrilled to welcome Michael Tobin to CloudHesive as a new member of our Board of Directors,” said Jim Walker, CEO of CloudHesive. “His remarkable track record of leadership, innovation, and commitment to excellence aligns with our company’s values and current vision.”

CloudHesive is an Amazon Premier Partner and an Amazon Managed Services Partner founded in 2014 by veterans in the cloud technology space. We help our customers adapt and transform their organizations by leveraging the power of the public cloud ecosystem through consulting, and next-generation managed services with a focus on Operational Excellence, Security, Reliability, and Application Optimization. We service global customers and have headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, FL, and offices in Denver, Colorado, Santiago, Chile, Bogota, Colombia and Buenos Aires, Argentina.

“We are thrilled to announce Michael Tobin OBE’s addition to our board of directors. His esteemed leadership enhances our outstanding team further. As we remain dedicated to supporting our clients in their AWS digital and AI initiatives, his presence strongly reaffirms our mission,” wrote John Clendennen, CloudHesive’s Chief Revenue Officer in a social media post.

 

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17
Sep, 2023

By Nikki Cabus

ModMed doubles down on efforts to empower young girls in tech with Pace Center for Girls Broward

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ModMed and Pace Center for Girls Broward double down on their efforts to empower high school girls and promote the technology industry. This collaboration seeks to inspire the next generation of female technologists and expand their horizons when it comes to career opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

ModMed’s Women in Innovation & Technology, or “mmWIT,” is focused on advancing women in STEM fields by fostering diversity and inclusion within the tech sector. mmWIT is an Employee Resource Group that provides support, mentorship, and resources to empower women in technology-related careers. This program develops and enables women to lead and innovate as they grow in their professional careers. mmWIT hosts educational panel discussions, mentoring events, networking gatherings, book clubs and community outreach programs. Through mmWIT, ModMed strives to establish a strong community for women to reach their highest potential.

Pace Center for Girls envisions a world where all girls and young women have power, in a just and equitable society. Founded in 1985, Pace provides free year-round middle and high school academics, case management, counseling, and life skills development in a safe and supportive environment that recognizes and deals with past trauma and builds upon girls’ individual strengths. Dedicated to meeting the social, emotional, and educational needs of girls, Pace has a successful and proven program model that has changed the life trajectory of more than 40,000 girls and is recognized as one of the nation’s leading advocates for girls in need.

For more than four years, mmWIT and Pace Center for Girls Broward have worked hand in hand to champion women in STEM.

An early effort was mmWIT’s 2018 Fashion Show to raise funds for the Pace Center for Girls Broward. ModMed’s employees received a casting call and the response was amazing. As if strutting their stuff down the catwalk for a good cause wasn’t enough, the model who sold the most raffle tickets won a prize: an outfit they wore on the runway. That event raised over $4000 for the Pace Center for Girls.

Their joint efforts are designed to introduce high school girls to the vast potential of a tech career and encourage more women to pursue opportunities in this dynamic industry. By broadening the perspectives of young women, this collaboration not only advances women in STEM but also motivates them to explore the myriad of possibilities available at forward-thinking companies like ModMed®.

Headquartered in Boca Raton, ModMed is transforming healthcare around the countryy by placing doctors and patients at the center of care through an intelligent, specialty-specific cloud platform. With our electronic health records (EHR) and practice management (PM) systems, and our patient engagement and revenue cycle management (RCM) services, our all-in-one solution empowers specialty medical practices by providing clinical, financial and operational software solutions. Our staff physicians help to develop products and services for allergy, dermatology, gastroenterology, OBGYN, ophthalmology, orthopedics, otolaryngology, pain management, plastic surgery, podiatry and urology practices, as well as ambulatory surgery centers.

The “Life After High School” Event: Inspiring and Equipping the Next Generation

The “Life After High School” event is a standout collaboration between mmWIT and Pace Center for Girls Broward. Esteemed women from the technology industry come together to share their insights and personal journeys with the students. The panel discussion covers a wide range of essential topics, including effective communication skills, professionalism in the tech industry, the transition from high school to the professional world, and the art of collaboration with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Through these discussions, the aim is to provide the young audience with the valuable knowledge they need to seize limitless opportunities and excel in their chosen paths.

Rose Anderson, Career & College Readiness Coordinator at Pace Center for Girls Broward, expressed her enthusiasm for the collaboration with mmWIT, saying, “This event perfectly aligns with our mission to empower girls and equip them with the necessary skills and confidence to thrive in their future careers. We are immensely grateful to ModMed for their unwavering support and commitment to advancing women in STEM.”

The panelists, accomplished women with diverse backgrounds in technology, will leverage their expertise and experiences to engage and inspire the Pace girls. Through this event, ModMed and Pace Center for Girls Broward aim to provide young women with the skills and confidence they need to flourish in their future careers.

Breaking Barriers

Girls aspiring to enter the tech field sometimes struggle due to factors such as the lack of visible role models, gender stereotypes and biases, a lack of support and encouragement, and the challenge of maintaining work-life balance. To address these issues, it is important to provide girls with mentorship, promote diversity and inclusivity and ensure equal access to education and resources.

The collaboration between mmWIT and Pace Center for Girls Broward represents a significant stride toward creating a more inclusive and diverse tech industry. By inspiring and empowering high school girls, this collaboration aims to pave the way for a new generation of female technologists who will drive innovation and contribute to a more equitable future. Together, they are dismantling barriers, breaking stereotypes, and creating a brighter and more inclusive tomorrow for women in technology.

Jodi Sherman, senior manager of customer success operations at ModMed and the President of mmWIT, shared her views on how the collaboration with the Pace Center for Girls Broward is making a difference. Sherman stated, “By sharing our experiences and knowledge, we hope to ignite the passion and curiosity of these high school girls, encouraging them to pursue careers in the technology industry. We firmly believe that by increasing the representation of women in STEM, we can drive innovation and create a more inclusive and diverse future.”

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17
Sep, 2023

By Nikki Cabus

CIC Miami is elevating the future of BioTech and Life Sciences in South Florida

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Seven BioTech and Life Sciences startups were welcomed into CIC’s International Soft Landing Program. 

CIC’s international Soft Landing just ended 22 hours of master classes led by 10 well-connected facilitators with 7 Startups as part of the BIG in BIO program from The Ganesha Lab, a global accelerator for Latin American science and technology-based startups.

Cambridge Innovation Center, or “CIC,” is a global leader in building and operating innovation campuses that support the growth of entrepreneurs and startups. Founded in 1999 with a single location in Kendall Square, the company now operates more than 1 million square feet of shared workspace, wet labs, and event space in the US, Europe, and Asia. Its collaborative work environments support thousands of individuals in the for-profit and nonprofit sectors who are focused on innovating solutions to local and global problems.

In partnership with The Ganesha Lab, the recent cohort attracted startups from diverse origins and six different countries including Chile, Argentina, Mexico, Brazil, United Kingdom and the United States representing a “global melting pot of talent.”

“International Soft Landing has changed the trajectory of dozens of entrepreneurs by giving them the skills and unique tools needed for an international organization to grow and make a splash in the U.S. economy,” said Alejandra Winter, Director of CIC’s International Soft Landing.

Established in 2016, International Soft Landing is a CIC platform program designed to support entrepreneurs with mid-sized companies who desire to expand their operations into the U.S. It’s an opportunity for entrepreneurs to gain cultural and practical understanding of business in the U.S. through an immersive experience.

The cohort provides unique programming developed specifically to help applicants gain the skills and knowledge needed to expand in the U.S., develop a broader business network, and meet potential investors and U.S.-based mentors. This program is especially equipped to support startups in tech industries, such as fintech, biotech, and edtech, given CIC’s deep roots and connections in the innovation economy.

This cohort included startups from The Ganesha Lab on a mission to redefine healthcare and sustainability through innovative solutions addressing some of the most pressing challenges of our time in the fields of BioTech, Diagnostics, Healthcare Access, and FoodTech. Having had success in securing funding in Latin America, these startups demonstrate the real potential for growth in the U.S. market and their readiness for global expansion.

The Ganesha Lab is a global biotech scaleup for science and technology-based startups in Latin America with the aim of “better understanding culture and responsiveness of evolving humans, connecting the worlds of science, biotech, entrepreneurs and people.”

“We are confident that the knowledge gained from exceptional mentors during this experience will play a pivotal role in their internationalization journey,” The Ganesha Lab wrote in a recent social media post.

Meet the startups and their leadership here:

  1. AQUIT | Improve natural immunity in fish with an innovative and non-invasive treatment to prevent infections during production.
  2. Biogea | Promotion of an environmentally friendly organic agriculture through a groundbreaking safe and sustainable liquid solution.
  3. DELEE | A state-of-the-art technology that isolates and analyzes circulating tumor cells from the blood, allowing the effective detection of early-stage cancer.
  4. Hedonix | A breakthrough method of producing ingredients for food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical markets, through unconventional microorganisms and CRISPR.
  5. innovai | Delay of microbiological spoilage in salmon fillets through a product that prolongs the preservation and freshness of salmon fillets.
  6. TREARS Biomarkers | Detection of chronic diseases, such as depression and diabetes, among others, through the study of earwax.
  7. Synergic Bio Solutions | Francisco Rivera, José Luis Flores – Fighting osteoporosis through ionic calcium and microencapsulated vitamin D, ensuring the delivery of these minerals directly to the bones.

But the collaboration with The Ganesha Lab goes beyond the cohort, for the second year in a row we are working together to bring the BIOHUNT Summit Miami 2023. Where early-stage biotech startups will meet with key industry players and investors, from the US, Europe and Latam. On November 7th and 8th, The Ganesha Lab and CIC will bring Biohunt Summit 2023 to Miami.

The 2022 summit brought out over 250 people. The event sought to make the potential of Latin American biotech startups visible in the U.S. market and generate connections to transform science into a good business. The venue served as a perfect place for attendees to connect and build the initial bonds during the brunch that kicked off the event, to then be followed by the presentations of the startups in the dolphin tanks.

The first day, which will take place at the Rubell Museum, will be focused on investors and the potential relationships they can create with the founders of the startups. This engagement will unfold through two sessions of dolphin tanks with stellar presentations and the participation of extraordinary speakers.

On the second day, the activities will move to the Mana Tech Auditorium, and the activities aim to give startups the opportunity to surround themselves with industry experts to better understand the dynamics of setting up in the United States. Stay tuned for more info and registration opening soon!

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05
Sep, 2023

By Nikki Cabus

South Florida Water Management District announced Florida Crystals exceeds 2023 clean water goals

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Florida Crystals and neighboring farmers in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) have been recognized once again for outperforming clean water goals.

Just last month, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) announced that in Water Year 2023 EAA farmers exceeded the 2023 clean water goals. A “water year” is a 12 month period that extends from October 1st to September 30th. The water year is designated by the calendar year in which it ends. The current water year is 2023.

As Florida Crystals partnership in Everglades restoration nears 30 years, EAA farmers achieved a 63% reduction in phosphorus in – more than double the 25% goal set forth in the Everglades Forever Act. The Everglades Forever Act is a Florida law passed in 1994 designed to restore the Everglades.

According to the Florida Department of Environmental Education, “The long-term water quality objective for the Everglades is to implement the optimal combination of source controls, stormwater treatment areas, advanced treatment technologies and regulatory programs to ensure that all waters discharged to the Everglades Protection Area achieve water quality standards consistent with the EFA. The Restoration Planning and Permitting Section of the Bureau of Assessment and Restoration Support is responsible for coordinating with DEP staff, state and federal agencies, industry representatives and other groups on permitting activities required under the EFA.”

The Everglades Forever Act requires the state of Florida to:

  • Restore and protect the Everglades ecological system.
  • Authorize the district to proceed expeditiously with implementation of the Everglades program.
  • Reduce excessive levels of phosphorus.
  • Pursue comprehensive and innovative solutions to the issues of water quality, water quantity, hydroperiod and invasions of non-native species that affect the Everglades ecosystem.
  • Expedite plans and programs for improving water quantity reaching the Everglades.
  • Provide a sufficient period for construction, testing and research so that the benefits of the Everglades Construction Project will be determined and maximized prior to requiring additional measures.
  • Achieve the water quality goals of the Everglades program through implementation of stormwater treatment areas and best management practices, e.g., the best available phosphorus reduction technology.
  • Pursue the Everglades Construction Project expeditiously but with flexibility so that superior technology may be utilized most effectively when available.

“We are proud of our science-based farming practices,” said Jaime Vega, Vice President of Agriculture. “Our regenerative farming philosophy ensures we continue to supply homegrown foods while enhancing our soil and protecting our surrounding ecosystem.”

Further demonstrating EAA farmers’ success this year, data from the SFWMD showed that water flowing south from the EAA was cleaner than when it arrived on Florida Crystal’s farms from Lake Okeechobee. This highlights not only the effectiveness of Florida Crystals Regenerative Organic Certified® practices, but also the role of sugarcane – one of nature’s most sustainable crops – at absorbing nutrients from irrigation water.

Florida Crystals’ sustainable farming practices have been vital to helping EAA farmers achieve and outperform the nation’s strictest water-quality standard for 28 years, with an average long-term phosphorus reduction of 57%.

Florida Crystals and members of our farming region, the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA), developed and implemented high-tech, on-farm Best Management Practices (BMPs) with researchers from the University of Florida to ensure we protect our natural resources.  Our BMP program has been nationally recognized for its effectiveness in environmental preservation. Regenerative agriculture is front and center each day on Florida Crystals farms.

Florida Crystals Corporation is a fully integrated cane sugar and agriculture company in Palm Beach County. Florida Crystals farms 190,000 acres in South Florida, where it also owns two sugar mills, a sugar refinery, a packaging and distribution center, a rice mill and the largest biomass renewable power plant in North America, which cleanly powers its sugar operations. Florida Crystals was the first and remains the only producer of organic sugar grown and milled in the US.

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04
Sep, 2023

By Nikki Cabus

Successful Ft. Lauderdale-based Enhance Health acquires local JET Health Solutions

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JET Health Solutions, the sister company of Ft. Lauderdale-based OZ Digital, recently announced they were acquired by Enhance Health. 

Established in 1997, JET Health Solutions is the healthcare product division of IT systems integrator and consulting firm OZ Digital Consulting. The company is a premier Enhanced Direct Enrollment (EDE) platform and has been equipping healthcare payers and providers with the technology tools they need to surge ahead of the competition in a rapidly changing healthcare marketplace such as break-through automation systems for both payers and providers that boost productivity, improve operational efficiencies, accelerate sales, and bolster the bottom line.

Enhance Health is a digital health insurance brokerage and care navigation platform. The acquisition reinforces Enhance Health’s commitment to serving its members and scaling its operations effectively through technology. Enhance Health was founded in 2021 by industry veteran Matt Herman and backed by Bain Capital Insurance and has experienced rapid growth due to the record number of Americans enrolling in ACA health plans in 2022. Enhance Health has grown its membership base to hundreds of thousands, and is rapidly expanding into other insurance business lines.

Enhance Health has gained much visibility through recent partnerships such as NASCAR, Floyd Mayweather Jr., and the recent official partnership agreement with the Miami Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium.  The multi-year partnership provides wide-spread visibility for the rapidly growing insurance organization between two offices in the Fort Lauderdale area.

“Enhance Health is committed to helping as many people as possible in South Florida access quality healthcare through great health insurance, often at little or no cost. The partnership with the Miami Dolphins will help us spread the word and ultimately get more people covered, given the team’s widespread popularity and dedicated fan base,” said Matthew Herman, CEO and President of Enhance Health.

“We are thrilled to announce the acquisition of JET Health Solutions. Since Enhance’s founding, we’ve been committed to leveraging technology in new ways to simplify the enrollment process. JET’s advanced EDE platform improves our already best-in-class member and agent experience.”

JET Health Solutions’ flagship product, JET Insure is the enterprise-class online private exchange and marketplace quote-to-card insurance automation platform that empowers health plans to sell multiple lines-of-business — individual/family ACA (on/off-exchange), small group, large group, fully/self/level-funded and specialty products — faster and more profitably, all on a single system leveraging all sales channels including brokers and direct to consumer sales. JET Insure is a single platform for all your insurance products sales, and policy management needs.

With hundreds of thousands of members enrolled in Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans as well as Medicare Advantage plans, Enhance Health has established itself as a trusted partner in the healthcare industry. The acquisition of JET empowers Enhance Health to fully own the enrollment process, enhancing its capabilities and expanding its services with one of the few CMS-certified Phase 3 EDEs available in the market.

“Joining forces with Enhance Health is an exciting opportunity to drive meaningful change in the healthcare industry,” said Asad Shamim, Founder and Managing Partner of JET Health Solutions. “Together, we are well-positioned to revolutionize the enrollment process and improve healthcare access for individuals and families across the nation.”

With partners such as Microsoft, Xamarin, Mulesoft, and IBM, JET Health has successfully equipped healthcare payers and providers with cutting-edge tools to excel in the ever-evolving healthcare marketplace.

“Integrating an EDE into our technology stack solidifies Enhance as the leader in the digital health insurance space,” said Jeff Tang, CIO of Enhance Health. “Fully integrated with our CRM and other agent systems, this platform will fundamentally change the way we interact with our members through streamlined agent workflows, actionable data, and enhanced data security.”

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